Are you looking for a delicious baked papaya recipe? Bursting with natural sweetness and loaded with essential nutrients, papaya is the star of this delectable dish that is both easy to prepare and pleasing to the palate!
If you love papaya but want to learn how to eat it fresh or learn some of the many other ways to eat it, you can check out this comprehensive guide! Also, another great way to eat papaya fresh is to create a delicious and nutritious smoothie! Or if you have a sweet tooth like me, why not try my delicious 2 ingredient papaya roll ups? One last recommendation from me is to try this baked papaya recipe with my homemade coconut yoghurt recipe and my homemade granola recipe to create delicious breakfast parfait jars. You won't regret it I promise!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
Let's take this wonderful tropical fruit to the next level by baking it to perfection! Baking the papaya not only enhances the papaya's natural flavors but also softens its texture, creating a melt-in-your-mouth experience with every bite. The papaya is also baked in a butter greased pan and sprinkled with sugar and a pinch of salt. This means that the subtle flavour of the papaya is enhanced with delicious coconut sugar sweetness and buttery goodness!
Not only is this baked papaya recipe a treat for your taste buds, but it also offers numerous health benefits. Papaya is rich in vitamins A and C, antioxidants, and fiber, making it a great addition to a balanced diet.
Whether you're looking for a nutritious breakfast option, a light dessert, or a flavorful side dish, this baked papaya recipe is sure to impress. So, grab your tropical fruit and lets get baking!
Choosing the right papaya for baking
When it comes to selecting papayas for baking, it's important to choose ones that are ripe but still firm. Look for papayas that have bright orange skin and give a gentle squeeze to ensure they are not too soft. Unripe papayas may lack the desired sweetness. However, choosing the right papaya is not that important. This is because the papaya becomes mushy when baked. Therefore, a slightly overripe mushy papaya or a sighty unripe hard papaya will not be that noticeable. This makes this recipe perfect if you have accidentally let a papaya get too ripe. In saying that, a fresh, ripe papaya will always taste the best for this recipe.
Preparing the papaya for baking
To prepare the papaya for baking, start by peeling and slicing it. Cut the papaya in half, lengthwise, and scoop out the seeds using a spoon. Then, remove the skin using a sharp knife or a peeler. Once peeled, slice the papaya into even pieces, about ½ inch thick.
It's important to remove the seeds as they can have a slightly bitter taste and a gel-like texture when cooked. Removing the skin ensures a smooth and consistent texture throughout the baked papaya. Make sure to completely remove the skin or it creates a tough texture, which is undesirable.
Once the papaya is peeled and sliced, it's time to move on to the next step of this delightful recipe.
Ingredients needed for the baked papaya recipe
To make this baked papaya recipe, you will need the following ingredients:
- ½ papaya, peeled, seeded, and sliced
- Butter for greasing the baking dish
- 1 to 2 tablespoon coconut sugar
- A pinch of salt
The simplicity of these ingredients allows the natural flavors of the papaya to shine through, while the butter and coconut sugar add a touch of warmth and sweetness.
Now that you have all the ingredients ready, let's dive into the step-by-step instructions for baking the papaya.
Step-by-step instructions for baking the papaya
To make this baked papaya recipe follow these steps:
- Preheat your oven to 180 degrees Celsius (350 degrees Fahrenheit) and grease a baking dish with butter to prevent sticking.
- Place the sliced papaya evenly in the greased baking dish, ensuring that they are not overlapping.
- Sprinkle the coconut sugar evenly over the papaya slices.
- Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 20 minutes.
- After 20 minutes, remove the baked papaya from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving. The papaya should be soft and tender, with the sugar completely melted.
- Serve the baked papaya as a standalone dessert with ice cream or as a topping for yogurt, oatmeal, or pancakes. The possibilities are endless!
Tips for enhancing the flavor of the baked papaya and serving suggestions
While this baked papaya recipe is already bursting with flavor, here are a few tips to take it to the next level:
- Sprinkle some toasted coconut flakes on top for an extra tropical touch.
- Drizzle a spoonful of honey or maple syrup over the baked papaya for a touch of natural sweetness.
- Serve the baked papaya with a dollop of yogurt or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a creamy contrast.
- Make granola parfait jars for breakfast with yoghurt and homemade granola
Ideally, the baked papaya should be consumed immediately for the best taste and texture. However, you can store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in the oven or microwave before serving or enjoy cold as part of a breakfast parfait jar (like the ones in my photos!)
Baked Papaya
Ingredients
- ½ fresh papaya peeled, seeds removed and sliced
- 1-2 tablespoon coconut sugar
- 1 tablespoon butter dairy free for vegan
- 1 sprinkle of salt
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 180 degrees Celsius (350 degrees Fahrenheit) and grease a baking dish with butter to prevent sticking.
- Place the sliced papaya evenly in the greased baking dish, ensuring that they are not overlapping.
- Sprinkle the coconut sugar evenly over the papaya slices.
- Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 20 minutes.
- After 20 minutes, remove the baked papaya from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving. The papaya should be soft and tender, with the sugar completely melted.
- Serve the baked papaya as a standalone dessert with ice cream or as a topping for yogurt, oatmeal, or pancakes. The possibilities are endless!
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